Penguins

Bob Errey On Pens: They’re Preying On Rangers’ Fatigue

Brandon Sutter #16 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his third period goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game One of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 16, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Blue Jackets 4-3. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) – With the Penguins one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, ROOT Sports Pens analyst Bob Errey joined the Starkey and Mueller show to discuss how the Pens got to this point and how much farther he can see them going.

“I think the Rangers being tired has certainly enhanced the Pens being able to get to their game,” Errey said. “When I saw tired, not just physically, they’re mentally exhausted… the Penguins, their game has been to prey on that, to prey on that schedule, to prey on the weakness of some injured defenseman and to get the puck in behind there and go to work.”

Errey also looked at the way Dan Bylsma has put his lines together lately, pairing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin together, and if that’s something they should look at continuing to do.

“I’d keep them together,” Errey told us. “You’re going to sprinkle Gibbons in there in spots because of his great speed. I would keep Malkin in there with Crosby. Sutter has been unbelievable, Jokinen has been fabulous. We ought to thank Jim Rutherford in Carolina for allowing us to get those two players.”

Out of all those players mentioned though, Errey says there is one that has really stood out to him in the playoffs so far.

“To me the big surprise is Sutter. The way he has been able to finish off plays. He’s looked strong, he’s looked fast, he’s looked dominant, he’s looked big,” said Errey. “Really, the way he stepped up has been something really special.”

Click the audio link below to hear Errey’s thoughts on how the defensive pairings should go with Orpik out hurt again and how much more sustainable the Pens playoff success is this year than in years past: